Naruto: Rise of a Ninja

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2007
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
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  1. Game Positive
    71
    Rise of a Ninja is decent for what it is, in that it's a solid first attempt at the Naruto franchise on a modern console.
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    70
    As a roaming RPG it's fun, quirky and worth picking up; as a promo for the wider world of Naruto, it's excellent. [Dec 2007, p.94]
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  3. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    Enjoyable enough, but it will take the forgiving nature and steadfast devotion of a fan to really get the most out of it. [Issue 26, p.96]
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  5. Eurogamer
    70
    The phrase "one for the fans" has never been applied more honestly than in this case; it may be flawed, but we're happy to recommend Rise of a Ninja to Naruto fans - albeit with a few reservations. Believe it.
  6. Thunderbolt
    70
    Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is good enough that non-fans of the show would do themselves good by playing it.
  7. NZGamer
    70
    There is an innocence to it all that is hard to describe, as if the game comes from a time more pure and simple.
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Visually, Rise of a Ninja is one of the system's best-looking games. But from a game-design standpoint, it's less successful. [Holiday 2007, p.80]
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  9. Games Master UK
    66
    Has all the ingredients to be good, they're just used in incorrect amounts. Shame. [Dec 2007, p.78]
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  10. 1UP
    65
    Rise of a Ninja, if nothing else, is undoubtedly a good foundation for something better the next time around. The graphics are fantastic, and running and jumping around the Naruto world is as convincing as it is compelling. If only the activities of this world were made of sterner stuff than rote replication of the source material's events or mind-numbing coin-collecting chores.
  11. GameTap
    60
    Even with all these hiccups, there’s still a solid combination of adventuring and fighting to be found here. And the sense of progression--going from a lowly no-skilled friendless ninja to a super awesome friendless ninja--is handled well in terms of what powers you get and when you get them.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
22
#22 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
28
#28 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 99
  3. Negative: 4 out of 99
  1. coolpc
    Jan 26, 2019
    10
    Awesome game:)
    For 2007 it have nice gameplay and graphics! In fighting mode it have at least normal combo moves (hello to Ultimate Ninja    Awesome game:)
    For 2007 it have nice gameplay and graphics! In fighting mode it have at least normal combo moves (hello to Ultimate Ninja series with their one-button fighting lol)
    + original soundtrack from anime    … Full Review »
  2. BaronMonaco
    Feb 12, 2017
    7
    This was a bold move from Ubisoft to make a Naruto game that is more than a simple fighting game (not that fighting games are bad per say).This was a bold move from Ubisoft to make a Naruto game that is more than a simple fighting game (not that fighting games are bad per say). Did they succeed ?

    First the game is gorgeous for 2007 and the cell-shading is still pleasant on the eye and every character from the show is truthfully rendered. There is some minor framerate drops but nothing alarming and no big bugs to ruin your experience neither.

    Concerning the gameplay all the fight are on the form of a classic 1 vs 1 fighting game (in 3D) those are classic and not the best we've seen, also some repetition of minion fights can get a bit boring as they don't really make for any kind of challenge. But the worst part of the game is the open world, the city of Konoha is so empty it's a bit sad, the only thing to do is look for very repetitive collectibles. The platforming is rough on the edges and cause you some anger.

    The story follows the original Naruto up to a certain point, if you didn't read/watch the manga/anime it might lack a bit of explanations, if you already know it then you didn't buy this game to uncover some new plot and it is pretty secondary. However if your a fan there is something unacceptable : the lack of japanese voice overs, instead you must endure horrible local voice-over (the english sub is as bad as the french at least).
    The game should last around 12 to 15 hours depending on if you want the 100% which is fine.

    In conclusion Rise of a Ninja was ambitious but I find it lacking in every department (except the graphics) and in my opinion the Ultimate Ninja Storm series is a far better pick for any Naruto fans. Still advisable if you're a fan of the first generation of Naruto.    … Full Review »
  3. Luffy_toons
    Dec 11, 2014
    9
    Combat-10
    Story-9
    Voice acting - 8 Gameplay-8 Presentation-10 Graphics-10 The only problem I had is that some of the voice actors from    Combat-10
    Story-9
    Voice acting - 8
    Gameplay-8
    Presentation-10
    Graphics-10
    The only problem I had is that some of the voice actors from the show weren't there.. It's kind of annoying to listen to a voice you know is wrong.    … Full Review »
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